Your outfit can communicate a lot about your professionalism and your brand.
In my last article, I discussed the importance of clothes for your brand. Researches confirm that the first impression has very big impact on the way we are perceived. That’s why when you are preparing for the personal branding photo shoot, you should plan your outfit carefully.
I would advise you to consider the below points:
1) What is your brand identity? How do you want to come across?
Do you want to show up as serious and authoritative or fun and creative? This can depend on the industry you are in, the tone you want to project and the customer you want to attract. For example, female and airy brand will present well in pastel dresses, but authoritative brand on the other hand will look better in tailored suits.
2) What are your branding colours?
Mainly the purpose of branding photos is to use them on your website and marketing materials. Probably you already have your branding colours, or perhaps you have learned about colour psychology, and you would like to use this knowledge to build your brand. While choosing your outfit, try to complement your branding colours. It doesn’t mean you need to wear them boldly. You can just simply incorporate them in accessories like shall.
3) Which clothes make you feel great?
The way we feel can have great impact on how we look on pictures. I don’t know about you, but I have some dresses in which I feel that I have it all, but I also own some outfits which just bring me down. Yes, I should definitely get rid of them and never wear them to the photo shoot. I advise you to do the same. They can be fashionable but if they don’t make you smile, just throw them out or give away.
4) Do you know which clothes complement your figure?
We all have different shapes and not all clothes fit our figure. While choosing the outfit, we should try to bring balance to our body. If you have wider shoulders for example, try to put more attentions to your hips by wearing trousers with nice details on their pockets. On the contrary, if you have wider hips, wear some ruffles in your blouse or jacket to bring more focus to the upper part of your body. If it all sounds too complicated, download the below guide on how to balance your figure with clothes.
5) Is it still you?
All above are just guidance, not rules. You know yourself and your brand best, so wear what feels right for you. As Oscar Wilde said – “Be Yourself; everyone Else Is Already Taken”*.
Kasia Giska